Collapsible boat



1954 R. c. JEFFERSON 04 COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Filed June 4, 1952 4Sheefs-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

fa w (fJaf/a /av 1954 R. c. JEFFERSON 3,604

COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Filed June 4, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

fwd-(7919mm Nov. 9, 1954 R. c. JEFFERSON 2,693,604

' COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Filed June 4, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

Nov. 9, 1954 R. c. JEFFERSON 2,693,604

COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Filed June 4, 1952 4 Shee ts-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR.

AA 7 019/146 X5 United States Patent COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Rufus C.Jefferson, Wayzata, Minn.

Application June 4, 1952, Serial No. 291,688

6 Claims. (Cl. 9-2) My invention relates to knock-down type boats andhas for its primary object the provision of a relatively small boat,such as is used in hunting of ducks, or the like, which is extremelyrugged and seaworthy when in an assembled position, and which forms arelatively small, compact, readily portable package when in itscollapsed or folded inoperative position.

Another and highly important object of my invention is the provision ofa structure of the class above-described which is inexpensive toconstruct, which is relatively light in weight, and which may be readilylifted or transported when in an assembled shape.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a structure of theclass above-described, which has a rigid bottom, folding side and endframe elements secured to said bottom, expansible and contractiblegunwales carried by said side frame members, and a hullformingwaterproof bag provided with means for readily detachably securing sameto the assembled boat frame.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a collapsibleboat of the type immediately above described, which is provided withself-contained means for storing the hull-forming bag when the structureis in a collapsed condition.

The above and still further highly important objects and advantages ofmy invention will become apparent from the following detailedspecification, appended claims and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate my invention, and whereinlike characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a view in top plan of my novel structure with the partsthereof in a knocked-down position.

F Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the structure of Fig. 3 is aview corresponding to Fig. l, but showing by dotted lines a difierentposition of some of the parts thereof, and with some of the partsremoved.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the frame-forming parts of my novelstructure, with the parts thereof in operative boat-forming condition.

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4, showing my boat in acompletely assembled condition.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 6-6 ofFig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 7-7 ofFig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to Fig. 7, showing the parts thereof in afolded position.

Fig. 9 is a view corresponding to Fig. 8, showing the hull-forming coverin position for storage.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail in top plan of one of the pairs ofgunwale-forming members of my invention, some parts being broken awayand some parts being shown in section.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary detail in top plan of a construction of onecorner portion of my novel frame construction, some parts being brokenaway and some parts shown in section.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral 1indicates in its entirety a bottom-forming member comprising aquadrilateral rocker-like bottom 2, the opposite end portions 3 of whichare preferably, and as shown, generally parallel to each other, and theopposite sides 4 of which are outwardly bowed. Rigidly secured to thebottom 2 and upstanding therefrom ice along opposite edges 4, are a pairof relatively shallow sides 5. Ends 6 are rigidly secured to the bottom5 adjacent the ends 3 and are rigidly secured at their opposite ends tosides 5. As shown, transverse reenforcing ribs 7 are longitudinallyspaced from each other, but are located in the intermediate portion ofthe bottom 2. All the members 5, 6 and 7 project upwardly from thebottom 2 substantially a uniform distance, and terminate insubstantially a common plane above the bottom 2. The bottom 2 ispreferably formed from plywood, or the like, but obviously can be formedfrom any suitable material.

Pivotally secured to the ribs 7 adjacent their opposite end portions, asindicated at 8, are side frame elements in the nature or arms 9. Asshown, there are a pair of the arms 9 on each side of the bottommember 1. Arms 9 are adapted to swing from an upstanding operauveposition (see particularly Fig. 7), wherein they abut against the sides:5, to an inoperative position wherein they overlie and are generallyparallel to the bottom 2 (see particularly Fig. 9)

Pivotally secured to opposite end portions of the bottom 2 prererably,and as shown, through the medium of hinges 10, are transom-like frontand rear frame-forming members 11. The frame-forming members 11 areadapted to be swung from their operative positions of Fig. 6, whereinthey form an upward and outward extension of shallow end members 6, tothe inoperative position of Figs. 3 and t5, wherem they overlie thebottom 2 and are generally parallel thereto.

As shown, the arms 9 are notched away as at 12 to receive theoverlapping inner ends 13 of resilient gunwale-forming members 14.'Angle irons, or the like, 12%, provide aligned openings which conhnethe gunwaleformiug members or bars 14 in each cooperating pair of arms9, one pair on each side of the bottom member 1. As shown particularlyby Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive, the transverse ribs 7 are notched centrally,as at 16, to receive the gunwale-forming members 14 therein when thebars 9 are moved to their inoperative folded position, as shown in Fig.8. When the bars are in their operative position, as shown in Fig. 7,the gunwale-forming members 14 may be extended or retracted. Whenextended, they may be secured to the opposite side portions of theend-forming members 11 through the medium of leather straps or tongues17 secured thereto by rivets or the like- 18, and having thereinopenings 19 for the reception of headed screws or the like 20. when thegunwale-forming members are moved to the retracted position of Fig. 3,they may be received within the bottom member 1 with no portion thereofprojecting above the sides or ends 5 and 6, respectively. Furthermore,as shown in Fig. 8, no portion of the arms 9 or gunwale-forming members14 project materially above the ribs 7.

To lock the gunwale-forming members 14 in their extended position, Iprovide transverse aligned openings 21 which are adapted to snuglyreceive a dowel pin or the like 22, preferably, and as shown, secured toone of the arms 9 by means of a cord or the like 23 (see particularlyFigs. 6 and 10). A floor board 24 is adapted to rest upon the ribs 7 andbe supported thereby. Floor board 24 may be formed from any suitablesheet material, such as plywood, and is of a length to extend forwardlyon one end and rearwardly on the other end of the ribs 7. The width ofthe floor board 24 is such that it is snugly received between theopposed pairs of, arms 9 and definitely locks the same in theiroperative upstanding positions. In order to securely lock the floorboard 24 in position, I provide pivoted cleats 25 which are receivablethrough slotted openings 26 therein.

When side frame-forming arms or members 9, together with the gunwalemembers 14 carried thereby and the endframe members 11 are swung totheir folded inoperative positions, all thereof are received at least inpart beneath the floor board 24 (see Fig. 1). Furthermore, as shownparticularly in Fig. 9, the enclosure defined by bottom 2, sides 5, ribs7 and floor board 24, provide a storage chamber for the waterproofhullforming bag 27 (hereinafter to be described in greater detail) andpaddles 28 and the like.

To facilitate insertion and removal of floor board 24 a central handslot or opening '29 is provided.

Coming now to the hull-forming waterproof bag 27, the same is formed oftreated canvas, or other waterproof sheeting, and is of a general shapeto loosely fit over the assembled frame of Fig. 4. Alongits upperedgehull-forming bag 27 is provided with a reinforcedcuff or the like 30which is adapted to be folded over the gunwale-forming members 14 andthe end frame elements 11, and thereafter downwardly into the interiorof the frame, as shown in Fig. 5. The reinforced cuff 30 is providedwith spaced grommets 31 through which is threaded a drawstring 32. Inorder to draw the hullforming bag 27 taut around the exterior of theassembled frame, I provide a downwardly-opening hook element 33 on eachof the frame elements 11, and one or more elastic cords 34 with hookelements 35 on their opposite ends. As shown particularly in Figs. 3 and6, the .cord elements 33 extend transversely across the bottom 1 atlongitudinally-spaced points, and are threaded through opposed eyelets36 in the sides 5 of the bottom member 1. As shown in Fig. 5, theflexible cords 33 are stretched sufficiently to enable the hook elements35 on opposite ends thereof to engage the drawstrings 32 and maintainsame under tension. To facilitate lifting and handling of the assembledboat, shown in Fig. 5, I preferably provide rope handles, or the like,37, which project inwardly from the upper intermediate portions of thetransom-like end frame members 11.

My novel structure, above described, has been thoroughly tested andfound to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of theobjects above set forth, and while I have disclosed a preferredembodiment of my structure, it should be. obvious that, the same iscapable of considerable modification without departure from the spiritand scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. i

What I claim is:

l. A knock-down boat frame including a rigid bottom member, said bottommember comprising relatively low upstanding opposite sides and ends anda pair of longitudinally-spaced transverse reinforcing ribs spanningsaid sides at their intermediate portions, pairs of side frame elementshingedly secured to said reinforcing ribs adjacent opposite sides ofsaid bottom member for inward swinging movements from upstandingpositions, against said sides to folded inoperative positions overlyingand generally parallel to said bottom, end frame elements hingedlysecured to opposite ends of said bottom for swinging movementsfromoperative positions forming" extensions of the ends of said bottomto folded inoperative positions overlying and generally parallel to saidbottom, extensible and retractable gunwale members carried by the outerfree ends of said side frame elements, said gunwale members having meansat their opposite ends for securing same to said end frame members, andmeans for positively locking said gunwale members "in their extendedoperative positions. r

2. The structure defined in claim 1, in which 'said gunwale members arein the nature of overlapping bars mounted for sliding movements inmounting brackets on the outer sides of said side frame members and inwhich said transverse reinforcing ribs are provided with recessescapable of wholly receiving said gunwale members, the pivotal connectionand width of said side frame elements causing same to project notupwardly of 'thelevel of the ribs when the same are-in their foldedinoperative positions, and in further combination with a floor boardadapted to overlie and rest upon said ribs, said floor board when inoperative position abutting said side frame elements and positivelylimiting inward swing- V ing'rnovements thereof when same are inupstanding inoperative positions.

- 3. A knock-down boat frame including a rigid quadri-. lateral bottommember, said bottom.member including a longitudinally arcuate bottom,outwardly bowed sides, outwardly and upwardly'extending ends and a pairof longitudinally-spaced centrally-positioned spanner rib connecting theintermediate portions of said sides, said ribs sides and end projectingupwardly to and terminating in a common plane, pairs of side frameelements hingedly secured to said reinforcing ribs adjacent oppositesides of said bottom member for inward swinging movements fromupstanding operative positions against said sides to folded inoperativepositions overlying and generally parallel to said bottom, transom-likeend frame elements hingedly secured to opposite ends of said bottom forswinging movements from operative positions forming upward and outwardextensions of the ends of said bottom to folded inoperative positionsoverlying and generally parallel to said bottom, extensible andretractible gunwales in aligned openings in said side frame elements,said gunwales each including a pair of resilient bars mounted in saidopenings in side-by-side relationship and having means on their oppositeends for detachably securing same to opposite sidesof .said transom-likefront and rear frame-forming elements, a floor board adapted to overlieand rest upon said ribs, said floor board extending longitudinallybeyond said ribs andhav-ing a width approximating the distance betweenthe opposed pairs of side frame elements, whereby to limitinwardswinging movements of said side frame members from. theiroperative positions, and means for releasably locking said floor boardin operative position.

4. The structure defined in, claim 3, in further com-' bination with awaterproof hull-forming .bag adaptedto fit loosely over said frame whensaid frame is in operative position, said hull-forming bag being formedfrom, flexible sheeting and having a drawstring-equipped reinforced.up-,. per edge portion which is adapted to fold over said gunr. walesand said end frame elements, hook means on. the inner portions of saidend frame members and on.-said bottom member for releasably hookingsaiddrawstring, at. least one of said hook means including aresilient mem:ber adapted to maintain said drawstring under tension.

5. The structure defined in claim 3, in which said arcuate bottom, itsupstanding sides, said longitudinally.- spaced ribs and said floor boarddefine a storage ,space. for said hull-forming bag, and infurthercoinbination with means for positively locking thegunwale-forming members in their extended operative positions 6.A'knock-down boat frame incl ding fa rigid bottom member, said bottommember comprising relatively low upstanding opposite sidesgand ends,pairs of side frame elements operatively hingedly secured tooppositesides of said bottom member; for inward swinging movements from anupstandingposition against said sides to folded inoperativeposition'soverlying' a nd generally parallel to said bottom, end frameelement's'hingedly secured to opposite ends of said bottom for" swingingmovements from operative positions forming extensions of the endsof'said bottom tofolded inoperative positions overlying and generallyparallel to saidbott'oni, extensible and retractable gunwale memberscarried by the outer" free ends of said'side frame ,e'lements,'sa'id'gunwale members having means at their opposite ends for'securing same tosaid end frame members, and means for poistively lockingsaidgunwalemembers in'their extended operative positions. 3

References Cited in the'file-of this patent re tB ai 1.7, 19112.

